My journey with organ donation began when my mother, Nancy Daggett received her life saving kidney transplant in March of 1997. Prior to the transplant, she was very sick and would sleep close to 20 hours a day. Within two weeks of her transplant, she looked and felt great, having more energy than she had in years. We knew each day was a gift, and I was able to enjoy 15 extra years with my mother. She was able to see her grandchildren grow into beautiful young adults. Unfortunately, her kidney began to fail, and she was once again placed on the transplant list. I wanted to donate my kidney and completed the necessary work up. However, my mother just could not take a kidney from her daughter. My mother passed away on 11/16/2013 due to complications from end stage renal disease and dialysis.
In 2017, I came across a Facebook page for “Brave Blake’s Battle.” Blake was a 9-month-old little boy who was just listed on the transplant list and needed a new kidney. Blake was born with end stage renal disease and his kidney - he was only born with one - failed at three days old. He spent the first 100+ days in the hospital receiving dialysis. Once he was able to go home, he received dialysis for 8-10 hours each night and received tube feedings, as he was unable to eat any food without vomiting.
My heart was torn reading about this sweet 9-month-old who was living life connected to machines all day. I reached out to Blake’s mother and expressed my desire to begin the testing to donate my kidney. After six months of testing, I was found to be the perfect match for Blake.
On January 18, 2017, I donated my left kidney to Brave Blake. Blake’s surgery was very complex as they had to remove his one kidney because it was in such terrible shape. I went home after two days, and went back to work after taking two weeks off. Blake came off the ventilator at day two, and went home on day seven. After his first week home, he pulled out his tube feeding and it has never been replaced. Blake learned to walk, crawl, and enjoy his first bath in 2017.
This January, we celebrated our 5-year kidney-versary. Due to COVID, we were not able to see each other in person, but we did celebrate together on FaceTime. I love sharing our journey of organ donation and am proud to bring awareness to living organ donation.
Organ donation is a very important to me, and I know firsthand how it can truly change lives.
- Laurie Jansen, RN, Outpatient Care Coordination